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Sometimes, when we get into a career, we end up almost imprisoned by our own aptitude. We may have specialized in one area of our jobs, just because as assistants, we can play almost any role that is thrown at us. But as we look for inspiration for our VA businesses, we need to take time to pause and reevaluate our goals. The obvious objectives are to have more time in our homes, to be financially grounded and successful, to have a host of clients and projects. Probably the most important goal of all, however, and the key that sets the stage for our entire business, is to do the creative and exciting work that we love.
Are you doing what thrills you, as a Virtual Assistant?
On your list of services, have you dared to include those things you enjoy the most? And if you don’t feel you have the level of necessary expertise to list those skills, have you made a plan of action to acquire them? If you love web design or desktop publishing or freelance writing, what are you doing to hone those skills? Remember WHY you have gone into business for yourself -- underneath all the other reasons, it is to have a life truly worth living.
As Virtual Assistants, we have taken a courageous step and left the traditional workplace. The next fork in that road is to do the work we love. Take stock in your business – if your work pays you well and you excel at it, but it leaves you uninspired, seek to add that project or skillset that you daydream about. Or if you are offering services that you hated in your old “office life,” this is the time to envision those fading and to see yourself as the star in your own show.
Give yourself the gift of a free few hours for a Goal Planning Session and dare to build a business plan constructed solely around skills you enjoy. This is your VA business, you can forge the road to your own future.
Ask yourself some simple (but not easy) questions:
- What was I leaving when I made the decision to become a VA?Were you leaving the rigidity of an office? Were you tired of being treated like the lowest “man” on the totem pole – when really you were supporting the entire team on top of your own head. Were you exhausted by your commute?
- What were you hoping to find, personally, as a VA?
More financial freedom? Peace of mind? Work that excited you?
- Where do you want to take your business? Are you setting your business goals high enough?Take some time and really think about, and list, your goals for your business. Do you see yourself building a business strong enough to sell when you retire? Are you hoping to build a truly 100% virtual business, so you can travel and take your “shop” and your clients with you.
- Finally, what are you doing to search out clients and market your company?(For a multitude of great marketing ideas, visit the archived Ezine’s (The Vision) at the TVN website.)
Remember, As VA’s we are no longer forced to be chameleons, good at everything thrown at us – we are now free to embrace the unique and vibrant gifts that we each have, and to build our new businesses and lives around those talents.
(And if you need a little boost to help you even decide what those gifts are, a quick visit to the bookstore at the TVN website could be just what the doctor ordered. A great example: The Purple Cow, by Seth Godin.)
The Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
by, Seth Godin
And, if you need a BIG boost to help you get started, or to do some major Goal Setting, consider a private coaching session with the founder of The Virtual Nation, Michelle Ulrich.)
With Gratitude,
Michelle Ulrich, Chief Villager & President
